YouTube is raising the eligibility threshold for new creators seeking to join its YouTube Partner Programme (YPP), doubling the required watch hours for long-form content and increasing the Shorts views requirement. The new criteria will apply from February 1, 2027, while creators already enrolled in the programme will not be affected by the changes.

Under the revised rules, new applicants will need either 8,000 qualified watch hours over the previous 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views over the previous 90 days to become eligible for advertising and YouTube Premium revenue sharing. The subscriber requirement will remain at 1,000.

YouTube Raises YPP Eligibility Requirements

YouTube announced the changes in a blog post, marking the first major revision to its Partner Programme since 2018. The platform currently has more than three million creators participating in YPP.

Previously, creators needed 4,000 qualified watch hours in the preceding 12 months or 10 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days to qualify for ad and YouTube Premium revenue sharing.

From February 1, 2027, the watch-hour requirement will rise to 8,000, while the Shorts threshold will double to 20 million views. The requirement of having at least 1,000 subscribers will remain unchanged.

YouTube’s changes come as the platform continues to report strong growth in viewing activity. The company said Shorts receive around 200 billion views every day, while viewers watch more than one billion hours of YouTube content on television each day.

New Rule for YouTube Shorts Earnings

YouTube is also introducing a separate requirement for Shorts revenue sharing that will apply to both new and existing creators.

From February 1, creators will need to generate at least 10 million qualified Shorts views during a rolling 90-day period to remain eligible for advertising and subscription revenue sharing from Shorts.

Channels that fall below the 10 million-view threshold will remain part of the YouTube Partner Programme and can continue earning from long-form videos. However, their Shorts revenue will be suspended until they once again reach the required 10 million views.

YouTube said creators already generating significant revenue through Shorts are unlikely to be affected by the new requirement. Creators will be able to review and sign the updated terms through YouTube Studio before the changes take effect.

YouTube Plans More Earning Options

For channels that do not meet the new Shorts threshold, YouTube said it plans to introduce additional opportunities to earn money.

These options will include bonuses linked to YouTube Shopping, incentives connected to brand deals and earnings boosts for creators who start and grow trends.

The lower tier of the Partner Programme will remain unchanged and will continue to provide access to fan-funding and shopping features.

Creators can currently qualify for the lower tier with 500 subscribers, at least three public uploads within 90 days and either 3,000 qualified watch hours or three million qualified Shorts views.

YouTube Expands Premium Lite Worldwide

Alongside the changes to creator monetisation, YouTube has expanded its Premium Lite subscription to all countries where YouTube Premium is available.

Premium Lite provides uninterrupted, offline and background viewing for most content. The service has been available in India since November 2025 and costs Rs 89 per month, compared with Rs 149 for the standard YouTube Premium subscription.

Under YouTube’s revenue-sharing model, 30 per cent of net subscription revenue from YouTube Premium and 60 per cent from Premium Lite will be allocated to separate creator pools after operating and promotional costs, including payments to music partners, are accounted for.

The resulting funds will be distributed according to members’ watch time and views. Creators receive 55 per cent of the applicable revenue for long-form videos and 45 per cent for Shorts.

YouTube Expects Creator Payments To Rise

YouTube said creators could potentially earn more from subscription revenue as users who subscribe to Premium generate higher average earnings for partners than users who watch content supported by advertising.

The company also said it expects to pay more to creators in 2027 than it did in 2026.

The changes come as major social media platforms continue to modify their creator monetisation systems. X has revised its payout rules to prioritise original content, while Facebook launched a new monetisation programme earlier this year.

With the revised YPP requirements and additional Shorts eligibility rules, YouTube is raising the bar for creators seeking advertising revenue while expanding alternative earning opportunities through shopping, subscriptions and brand partnerships.

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